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Nonprofit Overview

Mission: To help warriors relax, rehabilitate, and reintegrate through kayak fishing and the outdoors. Heroes on the Water has helped thousands of our nation's warriors overcome difficulties associated with post traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and the stresses of daily life. HOW empowers veterans and first responders to decompress and reconnect with themselves, their family, and become part of a lifelong community.

Results: Our program has been privileged to serve over 12,824 warriors since 2007. In 2017, we provided 7,645 warriors and 2,823 family members a chance to unwind and enjoy the benefits of our kayak fishing program. As a national program, 75 chapters and a therapeutic program deliver the program in 30 plus states.
During the life of our program we have supported 35,164 warriors and 8,718 family members. Our team of 26,637 volunteers have provided 285,042 volunteer hours for a total volunteer value of $6,575,951.
Our therapeutic program is showing promise. A study of 79 warriors over 180 days that kayak fished as part of their rehabilitation demonstrated a 56% reduction in overall stress, 62% reduction in hyper vigilance, and a 63% reduction in avoidance behavior.
Celebrating our 10th year of service, 2018 is positioned for continued growth as we officially extend our programs to first responders and their families, while adding structured chapter growth into new areas.

Target demographics: warriors relax, rehabilitate and reintegrate

Direct beneficiaries per year: 7,645 warriors and 2823 family members.

Geographic areas served: locations across the U.S.A.

Programs: kayak fishing in the outdoors. The program is provided at no cost to veterans, first responders or their families.

Community Stories

96 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

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What Heroes on the Water does for myself and fellow Veterans can't really be explained adequately. After my first trip, I was hooked and haven't missed an event in almost 3 years. My month is planned around the HOW Coastal Bend chapter. Just sitting on a yak, surrounded by salt water and watching the worries and stress of every day life float away with the waves rejuvenates my soul in such a way that can't be explained. My HOW family is so extremely important to me and I grateful to every one of them and our amazing volunteers and supporters.

Heroes on the Water is a great organization for me. Growing up in Minnesota and fishing daily was my way to heal from any life struggle I had. Being able to get back out and fish with my current situation being a double amputee with TBI I needed these guys. Thank You heroes on the water and hope to get back out there!

For an outgoing introvert HOW-RGV is the perfect organization for me. Wether it's sitting around talking, fishing off a kayak by myself, wadding next to a friend, learning a new skill or even enjoying a meal with good company there is always something for me & whatever mood I'm in. I look forward to decompressing from life's daily stressors every month with this org. and absolutely love that it is family oriented, so even when I can't get away by myself I know I can bring my daughter along and heal with her.

Last year was my first meeting with the team from Fort Gordon, GA. I've been an avid kayak fisherman for over 15 years and was looking for a way to give back to my fellow servicemen and women. I volunteered to help guide on some local ponds they had reserved for the event. Being a new guide I was teamed up with off the "old pros" and our veteran. It was his first time in a Kayak. To say he had a great time would be an understatement. When we got him back to the launch and he had to get back in his chair, the smile never left his face. I still volunteer and tell everybody I meet of how great it is to help others. HOW has given me the ability to give back to others that gave for us.

I came across this organization and realized that they make life so much more worthy of living thru the therapy, relaxation and commradery that it provides. My friends and family have noticed the positive change that I have presented. I feel better about myself and life in general. I'm hoping that I can make a positive impact on my brothers and sisters within the organization.

The very first time that I came across HOW, I was in doubt that I wanted to do anything with female veterans. Maria had just invited me to join them for an all female veterans weekend of fishing and kayaking. As time progressed I went ahead and said,"yes". HOW that weekend helped me get over a PTSD episode by teaching me alternate ways and having other veterans that knew right away what was going on. I usually had them but never had help with anyone. Let alone have anyone know what exactly was going on. I have came back for three years now. Each time, I experience something new and that I am capable of doing things out of my nature. I am truly grateful that I was able to participate in the events that our local chapter has for everyone.

I have been out fishing with this group twice and both times it was a memorable and highly enjoyable experience. Great people who love the sport of fishing. The Coordinators ensured that everyone had all that we needed and our safety was first and foremost. Will definitely be going again!!!

Great opportunity for active duty military and veterans of the U.S. Armed forces and their families to get out and enjoy the outdoors and let go of some stress. I myself have been sitting around the house looking for a organization to donate my time with, saw a post in one of my fishing groups on facebook looking for volunteers Heroes on the Water BAMC. On 2/10/2018 at O' Dark thirty, pulled up to Cypress Bend Park in New Braunfels to find a huge trailer loaded with kayaks. Not only were there life vest and paddles, Heroes on the Water BAMC supplies fishing poles and baits to fish with. During the course of the day, struck up many conversations and had a very nice time. A big thanks to Paul/Dawn Martin for organizing the events. Very organized and planned out. This now has been a weekly appointment for me as a volunteer since February to help patients of Center for the Intrepid unwind and enjoy the outdoors kayaking and fishing. Talking is optional !!!!

I have been a Coordinator for Heroes on the Water - Rio Grande Valley Chapter for 3 years now. It amazes me how kayak fishing can make a big difference to somebody that has PTS or a TBI. When we have a veteran that's coming out for the first time they're excited but leery. We ask them questions like what branch they were in, are you married or do they have children, etc. You can see that they become more comfortable hanging out with their Brothers and Sisters. Paddling on a kayak is very therapeutic but catching fish is just a small bonus.The hugs we get tell us thank you for caring without saying a word.

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2 years ago was the first time I heard about Heroes on the Water and I wanted to know more about it. I read the pamphlet I was given and checked out their website and found the closest chapter was in Corpus Christi. My wife and I started to help the chapter in C/C and watched the veterans transform. My wife and I have started a chapter here in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas. As a veteran comes out to participate for the first time they don't know what the outcome will be for them. During an event they are able to communicate with their brothers and sisters in arms and fellowshipping with one another has brought them closer together. The family gets to see their father and mother smiling and laughing. This is what Heroes on the Water does they bring back hope to the veterans. It shows them that people love and care for them and appreciate what they have done for this country.

As a Newb Kayak Fisherman, I was searching online for articles on how to troll with a kayak. In the process of reading/ scanning over articles I came across an article about BAMC Heroes on The Water and was immediately interested. I figured that one of my steps in getting back to the old me is to get out of the house and interact with others; why not with others like me with a familiar/ similar background ? I'd be moving forward with a great group of men, women, and their families who potentially are also make a big step forward. I am a 3x Veteran of the GWOT having served in OEF and OIF. With that, I brought back more than I had ever thought I would.
I took a shot and sent an email or text to Dawn & Paul; I got an immediate response that was inviting and personable. They also invited me to the next get together that would be on Upper Guadalupe near Canyon Lake Spillway as well as an open invitation to any outing they would be supporting. The day of our meet prior to moving to the launch site, I was extremely stressed out and my anxiety was very top chart as well as also quite unsure if I was ready to do this. I contemplated for the entire trip from San Antonio to New Braunfels and even to the river about turning around and heading home. I am so very glad that I knuckled through and went.
Paul and another Gentlemen that was assisting him (sorry Bro I am horrible with names) were very accommodating and made the process go really smoothly. Once we arrived at the river we all worked in a very familiar Team concept getting our kayaks and gear together and down to the river. We spent a few hours floating about and casting at any and every spot we could to almost no avail as far as the fish were concerned. But quite honestly that was of no matter because the day was perfect in weather , the company and camaraderie established were instrumental in the getting better/ moving forward process. I am very great full to have been a part of that day and feeling comfortable enough to meet up with them again. Thanks for everything the BAMC Heroes on the Water organization is doing for us all and Thanks to every Vet and family member I met that day. It is much appreciated.

Aloha From Maui!HOW has given myself the opportunity to not only get on the water, but do it with other Veterans. I now have others who enjoy the time kayak fishing and decompressing, and knowing what I struggle with, never judging. The comraderie is what it's about, and that trophy fish, that's a bonus!

This organization saved my life. It’s given me a purpose and allows me to help others. It calms my anxiety and PTSD symptoms and when I see it doing the same for others, I know I’m in the right place and that this organization performs miracles!

This organization specifically the Coastal Bend Chapter was the only group that responded back to me. For 15 months I had tried to make contact with groups to help with my recovery. I had never been around a kayak but the individualized care taken with me made sure I enjoyed myself. So peaceful and relaxing Joseph the coordinator made sure to personally reach out to me to get me signed up for the next event. The commadare was exceptional and relieved a lot of stress . Could not ask for a better group dedicated to veteransAlso made contact with the Rio Grande Chapter when I was in Brownsville and meet with Rudy the Coordinator. He stopped what he was doing and came to a location and we visited for a couple hours. Being able to talk was a blessing. Both chapters are great at insuring veterans feel appreciated and always a warm welcome. Thanks HOW

Ever since getting out of the military, I’ve felt lost. Reuniting with other veterans and participating in the peaceful yet exciting sport of fishing has helped me a lot. I tell every veteran about this great organization.

A good friend told me about Heroes on the Water and I love to kayak, so I decided tag along on a trip down the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels Texas. Glad I did, it was an amazing experience with other veterans. We shared past experiences and had a relaxed day on the river. This organization provides an outstanding opportunity to truly bond and forget the daily stressors that trigger anxiety. Thank you for the fish therapy. Wils

I have been involved with Heroes on the Water since May 2017 and I have seen the tremendous volunteer work done to bring veterans, first responders and their families together to enjoy kayak fishing in a relaxed mood filled with camaraderie and fun.

Heroes On the Water has helped give me the purpose, direction and motivation to get out into my community and give back.

I am a Combat Veteran (Iraq 04-05) that needed somewhere and something to put my energy in to... Heroes On the Water gave me a positive platform to do that- and has supported me along the way.... from 2012 through till now!

I work offshore and am gone over half of each year. Several years ago, I discovered that kayak fishing was a great way to decompress after a 5 or 6 week trip offshore. When I first discovered HOW and the Northeast Oklahoma Chapter of HOW, saw some of the videos and testimonials on their site, I thought "I need to be a part of this!" I went to my first event as a volunteer which was the second event (I believe) of the local chapter and have been a volunteer ever since. I don't get to make as many events as I would like as my offshore schedule makes me miss over half of the events, but every one I go to has been a fantastic "win-win" with time outdoors, on the water with my kayak, fishing (whether they are biting or not!) and the camaraderie of the volunteers and veterans! It is something that just can't be beat!

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I first heard of Heroes On the Water through a kayak fishing forum on facebook as the chapter in Northeastern Oklahoma was getting started. I checked out the HOW website and came across the video of the woman thanking HeroesOnTheWater for giving her husband back who had been the victim of an IED and thought "I have to be a part of this!" I have been a volunteer with our local chapter ever since. To see the joy in faces of the veterans and their families at the outings is truly inspiring! I work offshore and spend half of my time at sea, so I miss many outings, but try to make all of them I can when I am home. I know that I took up kayak fishing several years ago as a way to decompress after a week trip at sea and thought that if I get so much benefit from my time with my "small boat on small water" after the stresses of the time on the "big boat on the big water" then maybe it will help as much for the veteran who was wounded serving our country. I have met several vets over the 3+ years that I have been involved with the local chapter and feel that I am giving back at least a little to those who have already giving so much for us! Many of the volunteers are vets as well and I have witnessed several people who suffer from PTSD who come out of a shell and brighten up at least for the time we are on the water, so for me HOW is a "win-win"

I work offshorre and am gone on 5 week rotataions so I am actually gone more than I am home. About 9 years ago, I started kayak fishing and discovered how great a way it is for me to decompress after a trip offshore. I discovered Heroes On The Water through other kayak fisherman on Facebook and when the local chapter started (Northeast Oklahoma) I thought I should be a part of this! If through my volunteerism, I can hwlp one wounded (physically or emotionally wounds) to recover and see some of the benefits that I get from the outings then it would most assuredly be a "win win!" I have not been able to make all of the outings, but to see the smiles and hear the laughter of the vetsmakes for a very heartwarming adventure.

Heroes on the water Rio Grande Valley is an invaluable resource to escape too for veterans of all branches to decompress and unwind a little with other fellow veterans.... To see and be part of this organization is both a blessing and an honor.

To find out how you can join/help your local chapter near you, visit http://heroesonthewater.org/

Previous Stories

Heroes on the water Rio Grande Valley is an invaluable escape for veterans of all branches to decompress and unwind a little with other veterans.... To see and be part of this organization is both a blessing and an honor. To find out how you can join/help your local chapter near you, visit http://heroesonthewater.org/ Paddle, Fish, Heal ----- Fred Garcia